The Alpha’s Contract (Taylor West) novel Chapter 294

Damien

“Well it had to happen at some point. Though Blair gave me the impression that her family is dead.” I mutter to Eric

“Exactly what I thought.” He's carefully watching everyone. I half expected him to be annoyed that I was given his position in the pack, but he seemed to be happy enough with a secondary Beta role.

A woman makes her way through the crowd, clutching a small baby to her chest while two young boys hold on to either side of her dress. They were mini versions of the man talking to Dane. But I recognised the woman from the photo Blair had given Neah. Blair's mother.

We move closer as Arbraxas moves off to do another lap of the training hall. He gives me a quick wink before putting all his attention on the crowd of Lycans.

It was an odd feeling to see this many in one place. There had been just a dozen Rogues where I was, a tiny amount in comparison, and probably even less than the amount that might turn up. The bald guy also said they are a small pack.

“I want to make it clear that we,” the bald man gestures to all the waiting Lycans, “had nothing to do with what Blair has done.”

“She turned up a couple of days ago, right before we received your link. Looking for somewhere to stay. She’s not welcome in our house.” Blair's mother adds

“Why?” I hear Neah ask

The woman clutching the baby stops in front of her. “She put us all in danger. Years ago, she almost brought a Hunter to our door.” She glances back over her shoulder. “In fact, it was him. He was hunting her. Before she turned up the other day, we hadn’t seen her in over five years. We knew she was alive, but that was it.”

“She blames me for what our father did.” Neah tells her.

The woman reaches out a hand and cups Neah’s face, “I know and I’m so sorry for that.”

“It’s not your fault.” Neah sighs. “You didn’t know and from what I understand, my father lied to you too.”

Ryken’s deep blue eyes follow Abraxas. “I’m not sure why he is here, but Everwood is not the pack it once was. We live in the suburbs. Most of us have jobs and a family to support.” He gestures to the others. "Some rarely shift because of the risk of being caught.”

It was the life that Mallory had dreamt of.

“Did Blair speak of any plans?” I question

“No. Though she said that you would kill us. I told her if we died, it would rest on her.” Ryken shakes his head. “That girl had so much potential for good and she threw it away.”

“Because she became Rogue.” Neah mutters

“Yes, she learned what happened to the original Everwood Pack that her mother was part of.” Ryken reaches out and gives his mate a shoulder squeeze. “She completely lost it. Caught up in her own fantasies. It was something neither of us understood. How can someone be so content on righting past wrongs when it’s nothing to do with them?”